I was so moved today to see that Obama has invited all the surviving Tuskeegee Airmen to be special guests at his inauguration. However, they will be challenged to actially attend. Here's what the New York Times said about it:
"As you may know, most of the Tuskegee Airmen — the legendary elite force of black pilots and ground crew who were segregated into their own unit in World War II are over the age of 80 and many are frail. For most of them, getting to the inauguration is a daunting prospect. The original airmen (they will have to provide documentation) will receive tickets for themselves and one guest to the swearing-in ceremony at the West Front of the Capitol, but that doesn’t guarantee easy passage."
They have set up a way on their website for people to share ideas and resources to help get these honored guests to the inauguration. If you have ideas, do check out this page.
I am soooo proud of President-elect Obama for making good on his campaign promise to be inclusive and celebrate diversity. Yesterday he announced that an openly gay band will play at his inauguration. How cool is that? I still recall the opening words of his Victory speech on Nov. 4th:
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
"It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."
That makes me incredibly proud of him--and of us for electing him.
This shop even has the Obama gay logo in several varations of Obama Christmas ornaments. Enjoy!
Watching GW on Nightline this week I was once again--for the ten thousandth time--dismayed at the man we've been stuck with for the past 8 years. Of course, I was also struck by the enormous contrast between GW and Barack Obama. That we will once again have a man we can be proud of in the White House is some consolation. January 20th can't come fast enough for me! I would forego all the holidays just to be whisked into the Obama presidency.
Since time travel doesn't seem too likely, I'll do the next best thing and celebrate the holidays by also celebrating Oabama's victory. How you ask? Simple. With Obama ornaments from this cool shop.
I continue to be wildly impressed by Barack Obama's actions post-election, and it tickles me to watch conservative pundits scrambling for negative things to say about him. I look forward to a president with brains and a cool demeanor under pressure. What a relief!
I was watching Book Tv on CSPAN yesterday, and and author and historian Kevin Phillips had some sobering observations. He said that GW Bush has done the most damage to this country in more ways than any other president in our history, and that he had no business ever being president in the first place. How sad, but how true!
All we can do is count the days and hope Bush doesn't do something crazy as a parting shot.
Then we can rejoice and breathe, knowing we are in wiser hands.
Looking ahead with joy to the inauguration, here are some very cool decorating ideas using Barack Obama ornaments.
I keep finding more Obama ornaments I like. I found these on Flickr. I'm going to have a big inauguration party and use these for party favors. In fact some of my friends are getting together to rent a hotel suite with huge big screen TVs so we can have the food prepared by the hotel and just enjoy the festivities. But I want to be able to do some decorating in the suite.
Balloons of course--have to have a party atmosphere! Campaign posters (especially weathered ones that actually saw lawn duty) will be nice, too. I'll bring extra boxes of kleenx, as I am sure there won't be a dry eye in the place.
I remember how moved I was at CLinton's forst inaugural when Maya Angelou read her poem. I can't wait to see who Obama chooses for that honor.
What an exciting time this is to be alive!
It's Cyber Monday, when all good online shoppers buy what they couldn't find at the mall over the weekend. For your holiday consdieration, I offer: The Ornament of the Day. This Obama ornament features and American flag in the sunshine with the words: CHANGE and the date: 1.20.09.
Show your pride in our new president and celebrate with these handsome ceramic ornaments. Besides, you'll be helping the economy in the process!
Are you tired of turkey yet? Not possible for me. :) I'm ready to move on to decorating for Christmas--something I love to do every year. I am so excited about our new president, that I'm going to do a Barack Obama themed Christams tree this year! My favorite Obama ornaments have come from this online store--very cool!
The ornaments are durable and very colorful. Plus they make great gifts at holiday parties...or door prizes or a secret santa gift (assuming you know the recipient is a fan!!!)
Enjoy your last pieces of pumpkin pie!
Since I live too far away from D.C., I plan to host an inauguration party on January 20, 2009 to celebrate President Barack Obama. One of my decor ideas is to get a large bare tree branch (lots of windfalls up here) and decorate it with lots of Barack Obama ornaments. Then I can give an ornament to each guest as a party favor when they leave. How cool is that?
I found the Barack Obama ornaments that I like best at this shop.
What inauguration party ideas do you have?
Let's all have HUGE parties on Jan. 20th!
I continue to be thankful above all that we thepeople had the good sense to elect Barack Obama as our president. As the world turns ever more insane and violent, it's comforting to know there is a strong, even-tempered person ready to take over. I know the sacrifices he and his family will make for us can never be repaid, so I am thankful that he felt the call to serve us. I have never felt this way before about a politician. I really don't believe his running was about his ego--and for that I am also thankful.
This is the season of giving, and in that spirit President-elect Obama's new website is sharing stories on that topic. Read them here.
As an artist, my way of giving to my community is to create images that I hope will inspire and capture the mood of the country. You can see some of my Obama celebration images here.
Have a great holiday weekend!
I did my part to help the economy today, though i did NOT have to get up at 0-dark-30 to do so. I found these cool ceramic Obama ornaments online here. They're made of porcelain, so I think they'll last forever. I want to give them as keepsakes to my family. This is such a historic time for our country, so I want something tangible. Here's a photo of the ones I got so far.
Happy shopping everyone!
Anna
